Many dogs still live their lives on the end of a chain or tether. Tied-up outside, dogs become lonely, bored and anxious, and they can develop aggressive behaviors. Bring a dog inside (or help a chained dog in your neighborhood) and you’ll keep everyone safer.

Of the 70 million dogs in American households, the vast majority are living happy, healthy lives. But some dogs are still chained or tethered in one place as a means of restraint.

In most cases, tethers are used for short stretches of time, but a small number of dog owners tether their dogs constantly or for many hours at a time. These are the cases where advocates should focus their attention to make the most difference for dogs.

In addition to animal welfare concerns, tethering has been proven to be a high risk factor in serious dog bites and attacks. Tethering is unsafe for dogs and for the public, and it is important for advocates and officials to understand this connection, so they can incorporate tethering regulations into effective community dog management strategies.

The HSUS recommends a combination of approaches to reduce tethering. Laws that regulate and restrict tethering can be helpful, but should not be the sole approach. Enforcement agencies are notoriously underfunded and limited in their bandwidth. Community-based initiatives to support dog owners and unchain dogs through positive intervention can be just as effective—sometimes more so. Our recommendations for both approaches are included in these materials.